POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction REVIEWS
Unilateral Mastectomy with Delayed Reconstruction. Asheville, NC
ORIGINAL POST
I had breast implants since 1989 and had them...
babes967September 10, 2015
$13,000
I had breast implants since 1989 and had them replaced in 2006. (size D) Last December, I was diagnosed with cancer in my left breast. I had a mastectomy in February. I didn't have reconstruction immediately because we were wanting to see if I needed radiation or chemo. Thankfully, I did not. In April, I had an expander put in. I told the doctor that I wanted to go down to a C cup. Well, because my skin is thin and the doctor over-filled me, my skin separated. Last Tuesday, (Sept 7th) I had the implant removed and replaced with an expander/implant with a port. This one is saline and will gradually be filled over the next couple of months. If this doesn't hold, he said he would have to do a Latissimus Dorsi Flap Had the doctor me that this could have happened because of my "thin skin", I would have gladly sized down to a B cup. I hope this saves someone from having to go through what I did. Sorry the last two photos are sideways.
babes967's provider
UPDATED FROM babes967
1 month post
Five days post- op saline expander/implant
babes967September 13, 2015
Well, I have to be honest and say I have been a bit depressed since this last surgery. It has been hard to accept mentally that I have to start all over when I was at the end. I feel foolish being upset since I am healthy and no longer have cancer, but I do. The friend that brought me to surgery said the doctor told him that he was going to only inject enough saline to make a B cup while leaving the other side a C. That is not acceptable. I guess I'll see what he says tomorrow.
Thanks for listening.
Take care!
Thanks for listening.
Take care!
Replies (12)
September 13, 2015
Your feeling on "starting over" is completely understandable. I totally get it. I Hope you get a better answer tommorow.
September 14, 2015
You have every right to feel the way you do. It is very disappointing and no fun to have to walk that path again. I wish you the very best. Take a deep breath and keep moving forward. You are right, getting the cancer taken care of really is the most important thing, even though this newest experience simply stinks. Sorry you have to be going through all of this. (((Hugs))) to you, fellow survivor!!
September 14, 2015
Thank you for this post. I also live in Asheville and am looking for reconstruction after bilateral mastectomy. I know not to use Dr. Arnold. Sorry you have to go through all this.
September 14, 2015
Dr. Arnold is a good doctor. I talked to him today about what happened. Sometimes a woman has to have smaller breasts after a mastectomy. Thank you, and best of luck!
September 17, 2015
Wishing you the best! It doesn't make sense the Dr would make one a C and other B . I had a bilateral masectomy April 2015 having to wait for Latissimus Dorsi flap and expanders due to having radiation in 2009. I will have silicon implants eventually. I am very worried to. Keep us updated with pics . I hope you get the results you want! Say a prayer ! ❤️
November 17, 2015
i understand your disappointment. After my mastectomy I had immediate reconstruction with an expander. I was at the end of my fills when my skin split. No infection, but I had 330 cc of saline withdrawn and another surgery to restitch the tear. (Iwas on target for a large B.) 30 days later I received a 20cc fill. My doc said my breast would be higher and smaller than the other healthy breast. I told her to take her time with the fills so my skin has a chance to heal. The slower we fill the bigger we can go. I was a B cup and I am luckily if I end up with an A. If I had know the tearing was possible, I would have stopped the fills sooner!
November 17, 2015
Having a mastectomy was easy. I never would have thought reconstruction would have been so difficult. I wish I would have known more before. But I can't complain because I am cancer free and healthy. I hope you are as well.
November 17, 2015
Yes, I am, but the stress keeps accumulating and instead of putting the cancer behind us we get to look at our damaged breast and wonder when it will finally end. Good luck to you.
UPDATED FROM babes967
1 month post
After 1st injection
babes967September 16, 2015
My post op visit included my first injection. I am going to go slow and keep an eye on my skin.
Replies (2)
September 18, 2015
I hope everything turns out and looks great when you are all finished. I went through a BMX with expanders after breast cancer diagnosis in October 2013. Bless your patience and preservation. I look forward to following your story and journey.
Replies (29)
Thank you for sharing your experience. I wish the best - please keep up posted on how you're doing.
Take care-